Betts-48 (1674) Victory at Martinique medal / PCGS MS-64 BN Top Pop

  
The slightly reduced size of this medal, the subtle redesign of the obverse portrait and the edge markings confirm this piece as a restrike. Beautiful satin surfaces with faint pink and lilac undertones to dominant medium brown patina. Fully struck, overall smooth in appearance, and solidly in the Choice category. One of the Windward Islands in the West Indies, Martinique was first charted by Columbus in 1493, although not settled by the Spanish. The French under Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc landed on the island on September 15, 1635 after being driven out of St. The island was claimed for France, which successfully fended off two British invasions in 1666 and 1667 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

The Treaty of Breda that ended that conflict guaranteed the island for France, but the wars for empire in the New World were far from over. In 1674, during the Third Anglo-Dutch War (part of the larger Franco-Dutch War of 1672 to 1678) a Dutch fleet under Admiral Michael Adriaenszoon de Ruyter attempted an invasion of Martinique. N, De Ruyter led an imposing force including 18 warships and 3,400 soldiers. Delays imposed by the weather prevented De Ruyter's speedy approach to the island, giving the French time to increase their defenses.

Unable to enter the harbor due to these defenses, De Ruyter's fleet was prevented from adequately supporting the Dutch soldiers, which were repelled by the outnumbered French after suffering heavy losses. The reverse design of this medal shows Martinique marveling at the wreck of Dutch ambitions for the island and commemorates the decisive French victory in this encounter. This is a far nicer piece than the Sydney F.